Stop, Collaborate, and Listen: Developing Relationships in New England College Towns.

Abstract: College towns are a unique and attractive type of place, and they face an array of challenges specific to their circumstances. A high density of college students can cause behavior-related problems, and university developments can alienate non-student neighbors. Proposed mixed-use developments in the New England college towns of Amherst, Massachusetts and Storrs, Connecticut highlight th... read moreese challenges by focusing on the area between the campus and the town center. In Amherst, the Gateway Corridor inspires vocal protest from residential neighbors who do not trust the town and worry about increasingly difficult student behavior. In Storrs, the creation of a downtown from scratch demonstrates how these challenges can be overcome through patient outreach and collaborative problem-solving. This thesis explores how the planning process was managed in each situation, and how participants in the development processes have viewed them. Finally, it makes recommendations for Amherst and other such processes in the future. read less